A Closer Look at Lupus: (Pictures)

Understanding Lupus

Understanding Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that affects more than 1.5
million Americans, according to the Lupus
Foundation of America. Normally, the immune system protects the body
against foreign invaders like viruses and bacteria. In the case of a disease
like lupus, the immune system mistakenly attacks the body and damages healthy
tissues and organs. Lupus can cause problems with the kidneys, nervous system,
blood vessels, and skin.

Lupus Types

Lupus Types

There are different types of lupus, each of which causes
different symptoms. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common type.
It affects many different organs of the body, including the kidneys, lungs,
brain, and arteries. Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) affects the skin.
Neonatal lupus is a rare condition in pregnant women that causes the baby to be
born with a rash, liver problems, and sometimes a heart defect.

General Symptoms

General Symptoms

People who have lupus often develop symptoms similar to that
of the flu. They feel extremely tired. They have headaches and a fever, and
their joints become swollen or painful. Because similar symptoms can occur with
other diseases, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and thyroid problems, lupus
can be difficult to diagnose. Its vague symptoms are also why lupus is
sometimes called “the great imitator.”

Joint Pain and Weakness

Joint Pain and Weakness

More than 90 percent of people with lupus will experience
joint pain and weakness, according to the Lupus
Foundation of America. Most of that discomfort is caused by the
inflammation that lupus triggers. Often people feel pain and stiffness in their
joints, which is called lupus arthritis. Lupus can also weaken muscles,
especially in the pelvis, thighs, shoulders, and upper arms. Additionally, the
disease can trigger carpal tunnel syndrome, which leads to pain and numbness in
the hands and fingers.

Disc-Shaped Rash

Disc-Shaped Rash

Lupus that affects the skin (cutaneous lupus) comes in
different forms, and causes different types of rashes. Discoid lupus occurs in
people with chronic cutaneous lupus (CCLE). It produces a coin-shaped red,
scaly rash on the cheeks, nose, and ears. The rash doesn’t itch or hurt, but
once it fades, it may leave the skin discolored. If the rash is on the scalp,
hair loss may occur. Sometimes hair loss may be permanent.

Ring-Shaped Rash

Ring-Shaped Rash

In people with subacute cutaneous lupus (SCLE), the rash
looks like scaly red patches or ring shapes. This rash usually appears on parts
of the body that are exposed to sun, such as the arms, shoulders, neck, chest, and
trunk. Having SCLE can make you more sensitive to the sun, so you need to be
careful when going outside or sitting under fluorescent lights.

Butterfly Rash

Butterfly Rash

When systemic lupus flares up, you may notice a sunburn-like
rash on your face. This “butterfly” rash is a sign of acute cutaneous lupus
(ACLE). The rash is distinctive for its butterfly-like appearance—it spreads
across the nose and fans out on both cheeks. This rash can also emerge on other
parts of the body, especially those exposed to the sun, such as the arms, legs,
and trunk. The ACLE rash is very sensitive to light.

Anemia

Anemia

Red blood cells transport oxygen-rich blood from the heart
and lungs to the rest of the body. In lupus, the immune system can damage
healthy red blood cells, causing a condition called hemolytic anemia. Having
too few red blood cells can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of
breath, dizziness, and a yellowish color to the skin and eyes (jaundice).

Blood clots

Blood clots

Some people with lupus have another problem with their
blood. Normally, blood clots form when there is an injury to prevent the body
from bleeding too much. In lupus, thrombosis may occur, causing clots to form
where they’re not needed. This can be very dangerous, especially if a clot
breaks off and gets lodged in a blood vessel of the lungs, brain, or other part
of the body.

The Nerves

The Nerves

Lupus often attacks the nerves, which carry messages from
the brain to the rest of the body. This damage can lead to a range of symptoms,
including headaches, confusion, vision problems, mood swings, dizziness, and
numbness. When lupus attacks nerves to the hands and feet, it can cause
Raynaud’s phenomenon, which causes the tips of the fingers or toes to turn red,
white, or blue. Fingers and toes may also feel numb or painful in response to
cold.

Lupus and the Lungs

Lupus and the Lungs

When lupus attacks the lungs, it can cause trouble
breathing. If the membrane around the lungs becomes inflamed (pleurisy), it
puts pressure on the lungs, which makes breathing painful. Lupus can also lead
to pulmonary hypertension, a form of high blood pressure in which the blood
vessel connecting the heart to the lungs thickens. Because less blood can
travel from the heart to the lungs to pick up oxygen, the heart has to work
much harder to keep up.

Fluid Buildup

Fluid Buildup

Among the many organs that lupus attacks are the kidneys,
which normally filter blood and remove waste from the body. About one third of
people with lupus will develop the kidney disease called lupus nephritis,
according to the Lupus
Foundation of America. As the kidneys are damaged, fluid begins to build up
in the body. One of the first symptoms of lupus nephritis is edema, or swelling
due to fluid buildup in the legs, ankles, and feet.

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